Signal



May 13, 1930. K. WARTMANN S I GNAL Filed Sept. 8, 1927 I I Inventor Patented May 13, 1930 PATENT, OFFIC KARL WARTMANN, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY SIGNAL Application filed September 8, 1927. Serial No. 218,218.

This invention relates to signaling devices and more particularly to a stationary article of furniture whereby its occupancy may be determined at some remote point. t

One of the objects of my invention to provide in a stationary article of furniture such as a bed, sleeping cot or the like, means associated with a circuit whereby a signal may be given at some remote point to indicate 10 when the article of furniture is occupied or vacant.

A continued object of my invention 15 to provide a signaling device constructed and arranged in conjunction with a bed such as employed in public institutions, hospitals, prisons, insane asylums or other instances where it is necessary and desirable that the actions of inmates or prisoners may be known at a remote point, during the night and when the guards are removed from duty.

Another object of my invention is to provide a signaling device adapted to be installed in conjunction with a bed frame including contacts in a circuit to a set of signals at a remote point to indicate when the bed is occupied and when it is vacant.

To enable others skilled in the art to more fully comprehend the underlying features of my invention and its application for the uses and purposes which will be obvious, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, illustrative of my invention wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional type of bed frame on which the invention is installed.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the flooring and showing the bed post supports.

Fig. 3 is a further sectional view through the column attached to the bed frame and indicated contacts and circuits.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 5, 6 designate the ends of a bed frame 7 of any conventional type, usually positioned in a stationary and immovable manner in an enclosure room or cell, such as in a hospital, plrison, asylum or other public institution.

ach of the posts 8 ofthe bed ends are adapted to ride into a hollow cylindrical socket 9,

the base 10 of which is embedded in the concrete floor 11. In the bottom of each of the posts 8, there is formed a groove or recess 12 and a similar recess 13 is formed in the bottom of the socket 9 which recesses are adapted to receive a buffer spring 14 on which posts rest. Rigidly connected to the center of the frame 7 is a cylindrical column 15 having a top collar 16 which may be riveted to the frame 7 in the manner shown by Fig. 3 of the drawing. The column 15 extends through an opening in a concrete flooring 11 and a plate 17 embedded I therein. A second plate 18 is embedded in the bottom of an opening 19 cut in the flooring, said plate being adapted to receive a statiopary post 20 on which the column 15 may s 1 e.

Secured to the bottom of the column 15 is an insulated contact 22 secured to the plate 17. A conductor 23 leading to an incandescent lamp 24 is included in a circuit which may be suitably grounded and which when closed will indicate when the bed frame is in its raised or elevated position, and when vacant. A second contact 25 is secured to the bottom of the column and adapted to cooperate with a contact 26 attached 'to the bottom plate 18 and connected to a conductor 27 leading to an incandescent lamp 28 also included in the grounded circuit so that when the bed is occupied, contacts 21, 22 will be broken and contacts 25, 26 will be closed and consequently indicate the occupied position of the article of furniture.

In actual practice, the incandescent lamps or signal lights 24, 28 are located inprox imity to each other preferably at a signal board so that a guard or watchman may instantly know during the night if the bed is occupied or vacant and in this manner be able to maintain a close watch on a number of rooms and their occupants. When the bed for instance is occupied, a weight of onehundred pounds will depress the column 15 and close the contacts 25, 26 in whichposition a white light for instance will be indicated. On the other hand when the occupant leaves the bed the action of the buffer springs 14 raises the column with the result that con stance will be'indicated. The column is so embedded in the flooring that the posts 8 cannot be removed from the sockets. The posts moreover are so positioned in the sockets that neither end of the bed frame may be removed. In any event if either of the circuits are broken as when an attempt is made to tamper with the construction, it will quickly be indicated and observed.

While I have shown and described my invention with some degree of particularity, I

realize that various changes, alterations and .modifications may be resorted to. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the exact construction but reserve the right to make such alterations and modifications as may fairly r fall within the scope of the subject matter now being claimed.

Having shown and described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is i A signal device of the class described in combination with abed frame, resilient means supporting the corner legs of said frame below a flooring, a column rigidly attached to the frame and extending below the flooring, stationary contacts below the flooring, mov able contacts on the bottom of the column cooperating with the said stationary contacts and included in a circuit and signal lamps to indicate when the bed frame is occupied or vacant.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

- KARL WARTMANN. 

